Free Speech on Trial in Austria
The trial of Austrian anti-Sharia activist Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff for “denigrating” Islam has major implications for free speech in Europe.
Europe
European Union: Global Security Actor or Paper Tiger?
The future direction of European defense is at a crossroads. On the one hand, the NATO experience in Afghanistan has cast into stark relief the limits of European military capacities, not only at the operational but also at the political levels. On the other hand, the recently enacted Lisbon Treaty offers important new opportunities to […]
Spanish Presidency of the EU: High Hopes, Low Expectations
Spain holds the six-month rotating presidency of the 27-member European Union from January through June 2010. The following analysis explains the domestic political and economic context facing the Zapatero government during Spain’s EU presidency. It then examines in greater detail several of the Zapatero government’s stated priorities for Spain’s EU presidency, and then closes with […]
Spain’s EU Presidency Greeted with Skepticism
Spain’s six-month rotating presidency of the European Union, which began on Jan. 1, 2010, is off to a bumpy start. With the Lisbon Treaty now in effect, the traditional role of the EU rotating presidency has been downgraded.
Mr Zapatero Goes to Washington
Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero’s second term in office has not been a happy affair for Spain. With his poll numbers now at an all-time low, Zapatero is hoping that his October 13 visit to the White House will reverse his foundering political fortunes.
End of Obamamania? Europe’s Tepid Reaction to Obama’s Nobel
European newspapers have reacted to Barack Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize with a mixture of incredulity and scepticism. Almost without exception, newspapers across the continent (and political spectrum) are saying the award to Obama is premature and undeserved.
Lisbon Treaty: Europe’s Slow-Moving Coup d’État
Irish voters have overwhelmingly approved the European Union’s controversial Lisbon Treaty, a document that will forever change the dynamics of European (and potentially global) politics. The “yes” vote comes less than 18 months after Irish voters gave the “wrong” answer by rejecting the treaty in a first referendum.
Germany Swings to the Center-Right
German Chancellor Angela Merkel cruised to victory in federal elections on Sunday with enough votes to form a new center-right government with her preferred partner, the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP). The results follow a trend in which Socialist parties across Europe have seen sharp declines in their popularity.
Eurofighter Program Saved by Compromise Deal
The four nations involved in the Eurofighter Typhoon military aircraft consortium signed a long-awaited contract to buy more of the controversial fighter jets. The breakthrough represents a much-needed financial boost for a program central to European defense cooperation.
Is ‘Obamamania’ Waning in Europe?
A brief selection of European news stories that typify what seems to be a general trend toward a return to more negative reporting about America, its people and its president.
As Goes the West, So Goes NATO
NATO has always been more than just a traditional military alliance because it has always been about more than just traditional military security.
A400M Project Highlights European Defense Paradox
France and Germany have decided to wait another six months before determining the fate of the troubled A400M military transport plane.
